GRAW (Ghost Recon Advanced Warfare) is something that’s a bit lost on me. I never played the 360 original, but was aware of the intense fan following it had gained. I was curious, but not enough to purchase it. However, I am a huge fan of many Tom Clancy games, particularly Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six: Vegas so the arrival of GRAW2 on my doorstep was a pleasant treat … a treat consisting of slow, methodical planning, sniper shots, and dying — a lot.

First off, it looks fantastic. I don’t know how the 360 or PC versions faired in graphics, but the PS3 is outstanding. Although, admittedly, I can’t help but think “Resistance: Fall of Man is so much prettier” at least these two games share one common trait. The color brown. What is it with war games coming across practically as sepia tone films? I understand that these war zones take place in many desolate areas; Iraq. Mexico. Imagined third world countries. The empty space between Britney Spears’ ears. Yet, I am guessing that’s probably why I am drawn to Halo and R6: Vegas; all the pretty colors.

I am not much of a simulator fan, whether it be racing or war titles. I view video games as an escapist hobby, to take me away from a long day … of playing and reviewing games. Ok, so I really don’t need to escape THAT much, it’s just my personal taste. It could be my youth spent in front of the solid, bright colors of Super Mario, Zelda, Sonic and friends, while younger players than myself have been reared on the serious battles that the Playstation 2 and Xbox offered. Thus, all the brown, sandy environments you can handle. The characters all animate well, as they change from crouched to standing positions, run, etc., although due to uniforms and even the distance you will be shooting most of the enemies from, it’s hard to catch any real detail in the figures.

There’s plenty of cool weapons and capabilities. You have the advantage of seeing what’s going on in the distance through the UAV Cypher, which gives you a birds eye view. You also have a fair amount of control over drones, teammates, and vehicles. Video feeds from other locales on the battlefield thanks to the Mule (a remote controlled drone that has multiple functions including mobile cover, etc.) The most important things to remember though, is that sniping, scoping and patience are true assets while playing GRAW2. The controls are good, but again, when a game is based in the real world, soldiers will only run and react so fast. Patience is a word that keeps popping up in this review for a legitimate reason.

It may be a shallow point, but I love the HUD in GRAW2. It just looks … so cool. Everything is laid out perfectly. Not intrusive, not confusing, but damn there’s a lot going on! You get feeds from other soldiers, the Mule, CNN, communications from Generals and pilots. It can feel slightly overwhelming, with glowing green arrows popping up all over as explosions are blazing in the background. There’s a certain OCD-like feeling, since I begin to wonder if a real soldier was in fact viewing a real-life HUD designed this way, his eyes may melt.

Your side-kick soldiers have a lot to say, all with the subtle acting skills of a Jim Carey or William Shatner. It can become slightly annoying, what with all the macho, cheesy war-film-wannabe banter, but at least Ron Pearlman isn’t a star. I am not sure why suddenly I hear Hellboy’s unique voice once a month in a different title, but I can only assume that his days during Beauty and the Beast didn’t pay that well. Here’s hoping that Hellboy 2’s check doesn’t bounce, and Ronnie boy can stick to Halo games only. Boy was THAT off topic.

I can SEE and appreciate what a great game Ghost Recon is, it’s just not my cup of gaming-tea. I need the twitch, that instant rush. However, if you are a simulator fanatic who’s too yellow to enlist in the real thing, than take a glimpse at the future of war by playing GRAW2 from the safety of your sofa.

Tags: Ghost-Recon-Advanced-Warfighter-2, GRAW-2, Ubisoft

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